Freedom of expression, freedom of thought and the freedom to share information are at the core of what it means to be a member of the Brown community. These rights ensure our capacity to influence communities far beyond our own. Despite the importance of these freedoms, many of us take these rights for granted, as we haven’t yet experienced a situation where these protections are truly at risk. Now, with the recent election of former President Donald Trump, they are.
Over the course of his first term and recent campaigns, Trump has threatened freedom of the press on multiple occasions in both overt and implicit ways. Emboldened by his perceived mandate and enabled by his influence over all three branches of government, Trump is positioned to fulfill his intention to handicap the press. His intentions are reflective of how aspiring autocrats have cracked down on journalists and the dissemination of information in ways that have allowed them to consolidate their power. If successful, this will catalyze the United States’ shift towards a propaganda state where negative speech about the ruling class is suppressed.
I understand the temptation to hand-wave this concern away. It’s a very human reaction — but it’s the wrong one.
Complacency has historically enabled the rise of fascism in other nations. A country can be overcome with proto-fascist and later fascist ideologies, as these ideas become increasingly normalized. By the time enough people realize what’s going on and are no longer complacent, it is usually too late. Eventually, these dangerous beliefs will snowball if left unchecked.
We must take action to protect the press and not be complicit in sending the nation down a path it may never return from. Fortunately, every single one of us has the power to help protect free speech, thought and press.
Recently, the House passed the bipartisan Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act. It is a bill that prevents the federal government from forcing journalists and telecommunications companies to share protected information with the government.
This bill provides strong protections for both journalists and the informants who share vital information with them, ultimately preventing retaliation for speaking out to the public. It allows the press to continue as a strong check on the federal government and directly counters the suppressive tendencies often characteristic of fascist and authoritarian movements. The bill is currently sitting in the Senate. If it is not passed before Trump takes office, it may never get passed.
It is imperative that we all take a stand to defend the press. Many in our community will find themselves in careers directly threatened by Trump’s policies. Whether you are a professional journalist, federal employee or worker in an industry far removed from politics, the ability to access news free from government overreach and suppression should be an unalienable right.
We only have a matter of weeks to pass this bill and safeguard freedom of the press.
Take action now by contacting the senators that represent you and urging them to pass the PRESS Act immediately.
And, importantly, don’t just stop with the PRESS Act — even if the bill fails. Continue to take an active stand to protect freedom of the press and democracy itself. Organize peacefully. Get creative and get involved responsibly in any way you can by finding little ways to make a difference. There’s a lot that we can do to protect our freedoms — and even more that we can do together as a community.
Every little bit counts.
If enough people stand up for freedom in little ways over the next four years, the world will never know what our success averted. But, if too many of us are complacent, the repercussions of our inaction will echo throughout history.
Domenic Angelino MPH’24 can be reached at domenicangelino@gmail.com. Please send responses to this op-ed to letters@browndailyherald.com and other opinions to opinions@browndailyherald.com
